Here in Winston-Salem one finds many traffic circles. Traffic circles were not so prevalent back in Dallas nor in other places I have lived, so they remain a novelty to me, notwithstanding two years of living here. I like them, even as I wonder why … Read more
The annual Circe Conference, one of the great Classical Education events of any year, will be moving online for 2020. This means persons across the nation and world can take advantage of this rewarding event by “attending” without the costs of travel and hotels. The … Read more
Wagner, Tristan und Isolde – Vorspiel und Liebestod Few opening statements in music are as iconic as that of the opera Tristan and Isolde by Richard Wagner (1813-1883). Musical scholars point to it as a turning point in the musical vocabulary of the 19th century or … Read more
If the title of this post sounds like a comment on the tragic tearing-apart of our nation, it isn’t, although you are free to draw connections as you wish. Instead, this essay concerns a single complaint: namely the fact that too many of today’s creative … Read more
Tavener, Mother of God Here I Stand Sir John Tavener (1944-2013) composed mostly choral music informed by Orthodox Christianity. He converted to Orthodoxy in 1977. While he remained firmly rooted in Orthodoxy, he was also drawn to other Eastern traditions and assimilated some of those … Read more
It’s been quite a week. How could so much be going on if I am not even out of my own back yard? Well, by Zoom, it can! The week’s schedule has included a talk on the Rhine and its role in cultural history for … Read more
Clementi, Sonata in G minor, Op. 7, No. 3 Muzio Clementi (1752-1832) lived 80 years. He was born before Mozart and died after Beethoven. In 1766, he found a patron in Sir Peter Beckford and moved to the Beckford Estate in Dorset where he completed … Read more
Our granddaughter decided to run away yesterday afternoon. Her plot was transparent (she’s just finishing kindergarten), and it would have been laughable if one were inclined to chuckle at children’s emotions, . . . but I am not. In her backpack were three items: a … Read more
We are happy to announce something new for our members of the Circle of Scholars: the first meeting of our Music Club. Let’s have our first meeting online Sunday, June 14, at 4 p.m. EDT. Details and registration information are in the member area of … Read more
Barber, Knoxville: Summer of 1915 Summer may not start officially until June 21, but I grew up with the firm understanding that summer meant summer vacation, which commenced at the beginning of June. And I grew up in Houston where, if one looks only at … Read more